Heel support



Jan. 21, 1947. N. BARNETT 2,414,707

HEEL SUPPORT Filed June 4, 1945 Patented Jan. 21,1947

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I HEEL SUPPORT l\lathan Barnettpchicago, 111. Application June 4, 1945', Serial No. 597,533

(c1. sc 2.5)

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates in general to a heel support for shoes and the like and although particularly adapted for use in connection with open heel types of shoes, it may have a more general use with shoes of various kinds.

An important object of the invention is to provide a light weight heel-engaging spring support which cups the heel of the user, insures a proper walking condition and by causing an easy return of the heel, reduces the shock in walking.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spring pressed heel support which follows the movement of the heel of a wearer giving a firm feeling at all times and controlling the position and movement of the back of the foot.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment for the open heel type of shoes which tends to prevent the heel over-running at the sides and strengthens the heel and protects the stocking of a wear at this location.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a spring heel attachment for open shoes which is decorative in its nature, conforming to or contrasting with the color of the shoe itself or with the color of the stocking, providing means for further decorative attachments.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the specification and will be apparent from the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an open or strap heel type of ladys shoe having a heel support in accordance with this invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the heel support in position on the shoe with a portion of the heel strap omitted;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View of the heel support; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a heel support with a modified form of attachment spring.

In the present type of so-called open heel shoe, the heel of the wearer is relatively unsupported against lateral movement which results in the tendency of the heel to overrun at the sides. The present invention provides means not only to restrain the heel of a wearer from this tendency to overrun at the sides but by providing a spring supporting follower it gives a firm supported feeling to the heel at all times and because of the movement caused by the spring it reduces the shock and wear upon the stockings at the heel by cupping the heel therein and providing a more proper walking condition.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the invention may be applied in general to any shoe but is particularly adapted for a ladys shoe 5 having a sole 1 extending over the top of a heel 8 and with an open back strap 9 extending above the heel leaving an open space below the strap. A heel cup IQ is formed of plastic or other suitable material which may be either clear or colored and of different sizes and shapes to receive, engage and contain the heels of different wearers. This heel cup may also be provided with side flutes II or scallops [2 at the upper edges for decorative purposes and may also be studded with gems l3 if desired, for decorative purposes. The rear M of the cup is of a greater height than the sides 15 which are gradually rounded down to the front edge 16 which tapers in thickness'to joint and make a smooth :contact with the upper surface of the sloe i above the front edge of the heels" One end of a flat spring I! is attached to the underside of the cup by fastening rivets H3 or other suitable connections, but not projecting above the inside of the cup. The spring is flexed so that'the heel cup tends to spring upwardly from the other end of the spring which is secured by fastening nails l9 extending through openings in the spring and into the sole and into the heel at the rear thereof. It is referable to secure the spring to the support and to the heel of the shoe by at least two fastening devices as I8 and 19 respectively to prevent the cup member from swinging or turning with respect to the shoe to which it is applied.

Instead of attaching the front end of the spring to the heel cup by means of rivets 18 or similar fastening means, a heel cup 29 may be provided with a slot 2| near the front end thereof with a flat recess 22 extending forwardly therefrom on the inner or upper side of the cup and a mounting spring 23 having a bend or off-set 24 is inserted through the slot 2| with a front portion 25 adapted to be seated in the recess 22. The rear end of this spring 23 is secured to the rear end of the heel portion of the shoe by fastening nails 2'5 or other suitable fastening means.

With the constructions thus shown and described the heel cup is resiliently supported in firm position at the rear of the shoe, the spring having a tendency to elevate the rear of the heel cup in a partially inclined position, such that when the heel of a wearer is inserted in the shoe and seated in the cup, the cup tending to follow the heel of the wearer at all times, giving a firm supporting feeling, positioning the heel and tending to prevent the heel of the wearer from overrunning at either side. This also tends to supdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A heel support for shoes comprising a cup shaped heel receiver, a spring therefor attached to the front portion of the support and extending rearwardly therefrom below the rear of the cup and means for attaching the rear end of the spring to the heel of a shoe.

2. A heel support comprising a cup-shaped receiver for the heel having a rear wall tapered forwardly at the sides and a thin edge at the front of the cup for merging with the surface of a shoe to which it is applied, a flat spring extending under the support, means for attaching the spring to the front edge of the heel support and means for attaching the rear end of the spring to the rear of a shoe.

3. A heel support for shoes comprising a cupshaped receiver for heels, high at the rear end, the sides tapering gradually forward to the front thereof, and a thin front edge, a flat spring attached at one end to the front portion of the support and extending rearwardiy below the cup normally at an angle thereto, and means at the other end of the spring for attaching it to the heel of a shoe.

4. The combination with a shoe having an open space at the rear and sides of the heel, of a heel support therefor comprising a receiving cup highest at the rear tapering downwardly at the sides to the front thereof and having a thin front edge, a flat spring disposed below the support having means for attaching it non-rotatably at one end to the front edge of the said cup and having means at the rear end of the spring for attaching it non-rotatably to the rear of the heel.

5. A heel support comprising a cup-shaped member for receiving the heel of a wearer, a flat spring for supporting the cup, means for attaching one end of the spring to the front of the cup in non-rotating relation thereto, the other end of the spring extending normally, being sprung normally away from the rear of the cup and means for attaching the rear end of the spring in non-rotatable relation with respect to the heel of a shoe.

6. A heel support comprising a heel receiving cup, a spring for mounting the cup in a shoe, rivets at one end of the spring for attaching the front end of the cup in non-rotatable relation thereto and means at the other end of the spring for attaching it in non-rotatable relation to the heel of a shoe. 7. A heel support comprising a cup member for receiving the heel of a wearer having a slot therethrough with a recess in the upper surface communicating with the slot, a spring having an off-set portion near its front and adapting it to extend through the slot and the front end to be seated in the said recess of the cup member and means for securing the other end of the spring to the heel of a shoe.

NATHAN BARNE'I'I. 

